Marcus Allen says Jerome Bettis is deserves to be in the Hall of Fame

Marcus Allen had a decisive, frank response when asked if Jerome Bettis is deserving of Hall of Fame induction: "We want the best players in there, and Jerome is one of the best."

Allen spoke with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com and holds the former Steelers bruiser in very high regards.

"Rarely do you find someone with Jerome's size that was able to do what he did and have not only the combination of speed and power, but tremendous feet and balance. That is a rare combination. You just don't find that with someone his size. They called him ‘The Bus' for a reason. He had the athleticism and you can't stress enough the tremendous feet for a guy his size to run the ball the way he did."

As a member of the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, accrued 12,243 yards, 12th most all time.  Bettis, on the other hand, rushed for 13,662 yards over the course of his 13 year career, the sixth-most yards of all time.  Each of the top ten rushers in NFL history is in the Hall of Fame, with the exception of Bettis and LaDainian Tomlinson, who isn't yet eligible for induction, but will likely be a first ballot selection.

Allen, a 16-year NFL player, understands the honor of being a Hall of Fame selection is the league's highest honor.  Therefore, he wants the best players included in the exclusive brotherhood.  Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks has also spoken out in support of Bettis, claiming the six-time Pro Bowl running back is worthy of induction.

The 2015 Hall of Fame class will be announced during the NFL honors show this Saturday (9 p.m. NBC).